"Roots and Stones", a gift from Tony Cragg, unveiled at Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art

TEHRAN - "Roots and Stones", a huge abstract marble sculpture donated by British
artist Tony Cragg, was unveiled in the courtyard of the
Tehran Museum of
Contemporary Art on Sunday April 29, 2018. The ceremony was attended by
the Turner Prize-winner Cragg and a number of cultural officials and Iranian
artists.

British artist Tony Cragg poses beside "Roots and Stones"

The museum showcased a large collection of Cragg's huge sculptures and
drawings in an exhibition titled "Roots and Stones" from October 24, 2017 to
January 12, 2018.

Visual Arts Office director Majid Mollanoruzi praised Cragg's decision to donate
the artwork to the museum and said, "Organizing such an exhibit and the donation
of such an artwork have resulted from cultural diplomacy."

"Interaction between Iranian and foreign artists could give a positive image of
the country in the international arena," he added.

Veteran painter Ali Faramarzi said that the dialogue between nations can easily
pave the ground for further collaboration better than other types of diplomacy.

Cragg also on his part called the sculpture a memorial of his visit to Iran that
he hoped could promote friendship and understanding.

He said that he enjoyed holding the exhibition at the museum and added that he
was most impressed by the excited youth who came to visit his works.